Price puts events out of reach for some area residents
Re: “First African-American police officers to be remembered in April 30 ceremony,” March 31-April 2 edition: I remember very well three of the four policemen who are to be honored. They were officers in my younger days. I would like to come to the ceremony, however, I cannot afford to pay the $50 the event organizers are charging to attend the ceremony. I am a citizen who lives off a very low income each month.
Fair Housing Act 48 years later
“Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal. This deepening racial division is not inevitable. The movement apart can be reversed. Choice is still possible. Our principal task is to define that choice and to press for a national resolution … [It] will require a commitment to national action —compassionate, massive and sustained, backed by the resources of the most powerful and the richest nation on this earth. From every American it will require new attitudes, new understanding, and, above all, new will.” — Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (The Kerner Report), 1967
Clinton crime bill in context
Former President Bill Clinton mixed it up with Black Lives Matter activists last week as he defended his presidency and his 1994 crime bill while campaigning in Philadelphia for his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. Hillary fans will say it isn’t fair that the Black Lives Matter folks keep raising issues from the Bill Clinton presidency. But the Clintons campaigned in 1992 by asserting that they were a “two for one” presidency, so raising those issues is at least somewhat fair.
For our children, our future
It became dismal listening to the plaintive pleas Monday night of people speaking before the Richmond City Council. One by one, dozens of children, parents and teachers took the microphone to ask for more money for Richmond Public Schools. Anyone tuning in during the middle of the three-hour session broadcast on public television would have thought they were watching a late-night commercial seeking money for Third World school projects for UNICEF or Save the Children. The descriptions were shocking and heart-wrenching, telling of broken-down buildings with tiles falling from the ceilings, supplies for classrooms provided largely from the beneficence of dedicated, but underpaid teachers struggling to maintain their own households, who clean their own classrooms because the building’s sole janitor already has too much to do, and sometimes fending off bad behavior and violence from children seriously in need of services.
TEDxRVA brings inspiration to Downtown
A university president with a comedic touch. A burlesque performer on a mission to continue the revival of her craft.
VUU holds scholarship ball April 15
R&B singer Will Downing will be a special guest at the 4th Annual Virginia Union University Scholarship Gala & Masquerade Ball this Friday, April 15, at The Richmond Marriott Hotel, 500 E. Broad St. in Downtown.
Bus trip to D.C. science festival April 16
A bus trip is being organized from Richmond to the 4th USA Science and Engineering Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington this Saturday, April 16.
Children’s choir presents free concert April 16
The Greater Richmond Children’s Intermediate Concert Choir will perform 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in the Gellman Room at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., in Downtown.
Fashion show to benefit domestic violence victims
Models will walk the runway for a good cause at the Struttin’ 4 Domestic Violence Fashion Show from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in the Lipman Auditorium at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Massey Library Technology Center, 1651 E. Parham Road.
Personality: AnnMarie Gilbert
Spotlight on the Big House Gaines Coach of the Year
Virginia Union University women’s basketball Coach AnnMarie Gilbert continues to add hardware to her already crowded trophy case following a record-breaking season on Lombardy Street. The first-year Lady Panthers head coach, who guided the team to a historic 28-win season and a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament’s Elite Eight, just received the latest acknowledgment for her coaching excellence. On Monday, Coach Gilbert was named the 2015-16 Big House Gaines College Basketball Coach of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. “We are pleased to recognize Coach Gilbert for the outstanding job she did this season,” stated NSMA Executive Director Dave Goren in a news release. “Her team had a historic season and (she) truly deserves this award.”
Russell Wilson’s mother to speak at Women’s Day
She’s the mother of Richmond hometown hero Russell Wilson, star quarterback of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. And Tammy Wilson is going to be keynote speaker at the Women’s Day service 11 a.m. Sunday, April 17, at Third Street Bethel AME Church, 614 N. Third St., in Jackson Ward. Mrs. Wilson is expected to talk about her faith and her s
Farmville church to commemorate historic 1951 student walkout with Johns-Griffin Day
The Moton Museum and First Baptist Church of Farmville are presenting a Johns-Griffin Day commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the strike by students at R.R. Moton School in 1951.
Library of Virginia to open exhibit on religious freedom
The Library of Virginia will open its “First Freedom: Virginia’s Statute for Religious Freedom” exhibit Monday, April 18. The exhibit examines questions such as “What do we mean by religious freedom?” “What is separation of church and state?” “How do you balance one person’s beliefs with the common good?” and “How have our ideas about religious freedom changed since the founding of our nation?” according to a news release.
Flying Squirrels to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day Friday
April 15, 1947, is a red-letter day in sports history and American history. That is the date when Jackie Robinson, son of a family of Georgia sharecroppers, broke the color line in modern major league baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Frantz, Traynor win Monument Ave. 10K
One step forward for the celebration of local athletes. One step backward for diversity. That sums up the 17th running of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K last Saturday with nearly 30,000 participants and streets lined with excited but chilled fans.
Ed Davis, former Benedictine standout, looks toward NBA playoffs
Ed Davis’ reputation for rugged play under the backboards has earned him the nickname “Phys Ed” with the NBA Portland Trail Blazers. The 240-pound southpaw has developed into an elite rebounder —and short-range scorer — coming off the bench. “It’s not pretty,” he said of his ready-to-rumble style. “But someone has to set the hard screens, hit the offensive boards, do the dirty work.”
Former VCU Rams in NBA playoffs
Virginia Commonwealth University basketball fans will have two former Rams to follow in the upcoming NBA playoffs. Troy Daniels of the Class of 2013 is in his second year with the Charlotte Hornets, while Briante Weber, Class of 2015, was recently signed by the Miami Heat.
VSU coach looking to move from interim to permanent
As an athlete, Justin Harper was best known for his ability to catch a football. It was a skill that carried him all the way to the NFL.
Cannon lowers ‘Boom’ on VSU’s opponents
Successful college football recruiting is all about organization, forming contacts, perseverance and hard work. It also helps having a bit of luck.
Oliver Singleton, president of the MBL, dies
For more than 13 years, Oliver Rodney “Rod” Hunt Singleton played a critical role in providing more opportunities to minority-owned businesses as the president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Business League in Jackson Ward.
